2025 AGM

The Alton Jane Austen Group took sole control of the Regency events in 2025, and set up a new constitution, bank account, and programme of events. The committtee comprises Pat Lerew (Chair), Susie Carpenter, Jenny Colqhoun, Sally Laker, Stephen Lewis and Julie McLatch, .

The committee met for the first AGM of the group at 3pm on Thursday 11th September 2025 at the Alton Assembly Rooms.

Kimberley James (Gilbert White''s House) and Karen Murrell (Dementia Friendly Alton) attended.

The agenda was:-

1. Introduce committee and new constitution/accounts - the consitution (signed in December 2024) and accounts (made up to 30th September 2025) were available in hard copy at the meeting. Digital copies can be provided on request. The Group's bank account is with Lloyds Bank. The committee will decide whether to constitute as a registered charity or the like at a later meeting.
2. Round up of 2025 activity - Regency Day made a loss, which was covered by the grants from Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council. All the other events broke even or made a profit. Susie was thanked for her work putting Regency Day together (with the indoor and outdoor stalls and the entertainment outside The Swan. The parade, speaheaded by Alton Town Council was a great success and was broadcast by BBC's The One Show on 15th September 2025. The Town Council also provided First Aid and Security and were thanked for this in their absence).
3. Receive the 2025 accounts and plans for the future (arts grants) - donations of £240 to Dementia Friendly Alton and £130 to Vale (who provides the dresses) were agreed by the committee. Sally and Susie were thanked for putting the accounts together.
4. Plans for 2026 - the Birthday Ball weekend will take place 16 - 18 January 2026, and Regency Week will take place 19th to 28th June 2026. A grant fund to support literature and the arts in and around Alton will be discussed by the committee and announced during Regency Week.
5. AOB - none